In a way, he had to face what PJ had - insane expectations. He had to cater the LOTR fans who adored his score for the trilogy, who demands the re-usal of some of the already classic scores (such as Concerning Hobbits etc) but only to a degree, or he'd be faced with enormous critique of re-hashing his previous scores. He had to find the perfect balance between the old and the new, and making sure every new theme he composed was top-notch. I think he succeeded...

I quite enjoy the score to Twilight Eclipse - although I have less than zero interest in the stories or movies. In fact, I played a little game in my brain that I was buying the score for a niece. I just didn't want people at the store to think I was a Twilight fan!

Just a fantastic piece of work and again showed his skill of weaving motifs in so many different ways throughout the score. It's a wonderful film and Shore's score does so much to keep to tone perfectly balanced between childlike whimsy, the romance of the setting and the dark, mature themes creeping around the edges.

His scores for Panic Room and A History of Violence are favourites of mine too.

As for The Hobbit, I've promised myself one listen before the film and I'm resisting using that up just yet - once the CD arrives I'll sit in a room with headphones on and take it all in. Then hopefully forget it all so I can experience it anew with the film!